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Faced with excess capacity at some of its centers, the Franklin County Board of Developmental
Disabilities has assembled a task force to consider changing its adult day programs.

Officials say they won’t close the sheltered workshops and living-skills centers. But
consolidation is possible.

“There are a lot of things driving this discussion,” Superintendent Jed Morison said. “We’re
trying to be proactive rather than reactive.”

The next public meeting on the topic is set for 7 p.m. Monday at the administrative offices,
2879 Johnstown Rd. near Port Columbus.

Morison said consumer choice is one of the issues. Since 2008, the number of adults receiving
day services through private providers whose programs are not affiliated with the county board has
grown from 140 to nearly 1,200.

“It used to be that we were the only game in town,” he said.

Medicaid now allows eligible individuals to choose a service provider, although the county board
still pays the local share of matching funds. Federal and state mandates to get more people with
disabilities working in the community, while a welcome emphasis, also reduce demand at the county’s
four workshops, Morison said.

And property-tax revenues and state subsidies for county boards have declined in recent
years.

In a letter to consumers this month, board officials said the task force was formed so the board
can make sound plans “rather than having to react in the face of a crisis.”

Some families, however, worry what change could mean to those who are happy with the county
programs.

Karen Layton’s 45-year-old daughter, Lori, has severe disabilities and has long attended the
board’s Hague Living Skills Center on the West Side during the day. She said Lori isn’t a candidate
for community work and wouldn’t do well in an integrated program, or one that includes
higher-functioning participants.

“She will get nothing out of it,” Layton said. “She does get something out of the sensory room
at Hague. They’ve come up with beautiful programs. It just breaks everybody’s heart that they would
think about changing this.”

The board operates two living-skills centers for adults with profound disabilities and four
sheltered workshops, with a total enrollment of 1,227 people. Another 656 adults attend day
programs at Goodwill Columbus, which contracts with the board. Nearly 1,100 receive employment
services but work in the community, Morison said.

“Parents will stand up for these kids,” Layton said. “Their kids are comfortable here. They know
people, they’ve learned things. We don’t want to lose that.”

Morison said officials don’t want to eliminate programs. No decisions have been made, he said. “
There are factors that are merging. We think it’s important to start looking long term.”